About the project
In 2016 the British Council, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher and Secondary Specialised Education of the Republic of Uzbekistan Scientific-Practical Innovation Centre has launched the EnSPIRe-U (English for Specific Purposes Integrated Reform in Uzbekistan) programme aimed at reforming the curriculum, materials and assessment in non-philological institutions throughout the country. 

31 higher educational institutions have been invited to take part in the pilot project. 

The overall aim of the project is to develop a holistic approach to English for specific purposes (ESP) reform at a national level and to map the key processes for the reform to succeed. The EnSPIRe-U project is planned to introduce a holistic approach in developing and implementing the new curriculum, syllabi, teaching materials, assessment criteria and training events in the ESP area.

The project will engage with key stakeholders in ESP reform, including education institutions (their staff and students), graduates, parents, independent assessment and examination bodies, employers, clients, publishers and media to name a few.

Ultimately the project aims to raise the level of English Language proficiency and strengthen English language teaching and assessment in non-philological institutions in Uzbekistan. In addition, the project aims to develop a cadre of national experts in curriculum development, materials design, training delivery and assessment. 

 Implementing the project we:

  • carried out a baseline study in 31 non-philological institutions in 2016 to review the current standards, assessment criteria, ELT practices, materials, syllabi and curriculum design based on data collated from students, teachers, decision-makers and employers    
  • conducted the British Council’s Aptis test among a sample of teachers in all participating institutions 
  • based on the evidence collected, developed a holistic approach to ESP in Uzbekistan
  • in September 2017 and January 2018 we conducted training events for a project team to develop a skills-based ESP curriculum and flexible syllabi.

In 2018-2019 it is planned:

  • to develop models of modern, flexible materials which can be adapted and applied to any ESP situation
  • to design assessment methods and criteria aligned to international standards (CEFR), based on the teaching materials and matching the curriculum and syllabus 
  • to develop and conduct training events on designing teaching materials and implementing new methodologies based on the new curriculum
  • to improve the English language proficiency of the students in the participating institutions
  • to improve classroom teaching and learning through effective delivery of course materials, incorporating modern methodology and training in ESP proficiency training
  • to develop an instrument for exit testing for ESP students according to international standards
  • to improve the standards of English language teaching and learning in universities and institutions of higher education throughout Uzbekistan.

The project has five strands:

  1. Curriculum 
  2. Materials design
  3. Assessment 
  4. Trainer training
  5. Standards which are the underlying principle under each strand

Vision for Curriculum: 
A general, flexible though detailed document based on CEFR standards which includes the possibilities of teaching any specialist area. The nationally approved document should be devolved to each institution. 

Vision for materials design:
No common textbook but generic samples of materials which could be used as models for discipline-specific materials development by institution. A group of trained trainers will cascade materials development training to ESP teachers throughout the country.

Vision for assessment:
Assessment should be based on the teaching materials and aligned to the CEFR. It should be based on a national generic model which can then be adapted by any institution to the discipline-specific requirements of students. 

Vision for training events:
Training events for teachers should focus on several directions – a new methodology to enable teachers to implement the new programme, skills in ESP materials development and assessment.

Project Participants:

  1. Andijan Machine Building Institute
  2. Bukhara State University
  3. Fergana Polytechnic Institute  
  4. Gulistan State University
  5. Jizzakh Polytechnic University
  6. Karakalpak State University named after Berdakh 
  7. Karshi State University
  8. Namangan State University
  9. National Institute of Art and Design named after Kamoliddin Bekhzod  
  10. Navoi State Mining Institute 
  11. Nukus State Pedagogical Institute named after Ajiniyaz
  12. Samarkand State Institute of Economics and Service
  13. Scientific and Educational Centre for Corporate Governance of the RU 
  14. Tashkent Automobile and Road Construction Institute
  15. Tashkent Chemical Technological  Institute
  16. Tashkent Finance Institute
  17. Tashkent Institute of Arts and Culture
  18. Tashkent Institute of Irrigation and Melioration
  19. Tashkent Institute of Physical Culture
  20. Tashkent Institute of Railway Engineers
  21. Tashkent Institute of Textile and Light Industry
  22. Tashkent Medical Academy 
  23. Tashkent Paediatric Medical Institute
  24. Tashkent State Agrarian University
  25. Tashkent State Pedagogical University named after Nizamiy
  26. Tashkent State Technical University named after Beruni
  27. Tashkent State University of Economics
  28. Tashkent State University of Law
  29. Tashkent University of Information Technologies
  30. Termez State University
  31. University of World Economy and Diplomacy
  32. Urgench State University
  33. Uzbekistan National University named after Mirzo Ulugbek
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